I think it's a little funny that the chapter on bridal wear in Offbeat Bride does not even mention the possibility of the bride wearing – gasp – pants instead of a dress. Utilikilts get a mention — "Match your skirts!" — but even then does it not enter the picture that some brides are not into dresses.

Why, what an excellent point, and what a total oversight. While of course I couldn't cover every single breed of offbeat in the book (snowboard brides got short shrift, and transgender Buddhists were completely ignored), writing about brides in pants is actually something I really wish I'd included.

In my poking around online I found a fair amount of inspiration for brides who wish to go the pants route, and even some awesome indie vendors…
If you're going formal, I like this combo (Cosmobella Style 7125) with the little translucent overlay that gives a hint of a train while still very much maintaining the fact that these are a pair of PANTS, mofo. Not some princess dress. Also, the corset top gives the outfit a nice hourglass shape.

If you want something a little more couture and less bridal-y, there's this stunning little high fashion confection. This is a bazillion dollar pantsuit by Lebanese designer Elie Saab, but you should just get ideas and (yes, I'll say it again) have your local indie seamstress make something for you.

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Ariel

Author of the Offbeat Bride book, Ariel acts as the publisher of all the Offbeat Empire websites. She lives in Seattle with her son, and if she's not reading or writing books, chances are good that she's dancing or happy-crying. You can get to know her better on her Insta stories.

love it! i've insisted for the past 4 years that i WOULD get married in pants, but now that i'm actually planning a wedding, i've almost given up. dresses are so much easier to find; i'm sick of explaining to ev-er-y-one why i would possibly want to wear pants. but i'm glad to finally find some articles discussing pants. emboldens me a little. =)

Anyone that knows me knows I will wear what I want and it is a renewal vow so Pants it is. I already have the gorgeous Dalia Anthropologie lace topper and camisole in cream and I will get tuxedo pants custom made (off a Yve St. Laurent pair I own vintage) along with cream side stripe. I will wear a fancy pant outfit half bridey mostly ME! YUP!!!! If you want a pant outfit make it happen.

My mom got married in 1970 in a white sleeveless wrap top and pants that she made herself. I aspire to reach such heights, but I like skirts. So my dress has a short ball skirt and is irridescent periwinkle!

I like the first photo with the lady in the 'fro. If I were going for pants, I would like something freeflowing like that. The other pictures doesn't look bridal to me. It would take away something from the look of my ideal wedding.

I was re-married in August 2004 and because I absolutely HATE skirts / dresses I decided to contact a local seamstress that specialized in Wedding Gowns. I discussed my ideas with her and she was more than happy to help me design my outfit! We looked through ALL her pattern books until we came up with the PERFECT match to my design. Y E S ! I wore a white, lace 3PC pant 'suit'! TOTALLY ROCKED!

P.S. My Daugther, AGE 6 [at the time] was my flower girl… she too wore a pant 'outfit' that I had designed [or at least had an idea of what I wanted the 'outfit' to look like], which again – the seamstress made for me. ABSOLUTELY ADORABLE!!

Hi, I've been scouring the web and can't find any bridal pantsuits! Just articles on them. The photo you show of the white strapless pantsuit with the little train is great, but there is no designer or brand name given. Who makes it?

I'm getting married in pants in September, will let you in on the pics afterwards!! To be honest though everyone has been more disappointed in the fact I'm wearing all black than the fact that I'm wearing pants!

Try being a mother of the bride…talk about some GAWD awful fashion! I have 2 daughters and a neice getting married. After deciding I'd rather be dead than look like a swiffer duster, I finally opted for a black evening tuxedo with a very nice shape and a beaded lapel.It was not easy to find but I kept looking.The best part is that I will be comfortable!

Hi there,
Well I'm getting married for second and last time…feels like the first time and I am not that size 5/6 anymore lol….so I was browsing online until I found your website…and it hit me…the perfect wedding pantsuit with the train…and its white and perfect for outdoor wedding…I know you you said you didn't know where it originated, but was there a place onthe website you were at that you could contact someone about it. I am looking at getting it made I think…if I can find someone to do it..problem is there is no pattern but I did print the page off and zoom in on some areas…if you can anymore info about this I would appreciate it. Thanks!!!!

OMG I have Finally found the perfect outfit to wear I have been trailing through bridal books through internet sights through gay wedding sites and here is my prefect outfit!! (( the first one)) There is no wear for brides and suits yes Im gay but I want to be feminine too but I don't want to wear a dress ( been there done that)of course with a few adjustments because I have Boobs and that top aint gunna hold the girls in! . We are having a beach wedding so this is so perfect and I have a fab friend who is a fab seamstress.
PS love this web site what a fantastic idea keep up the good work 🙂

I have a dress very similar to the first pantsuit, but it contains more chiffon overlaying such that unless you're in motion, you can barely tell there's any pants involved. It's a glorious pantdress–it was picked up around prom season at a Fairweather outlet (Canada-only, maybe?) for maybe $120, tops, and was from their Majora label (possibly available some other places?). I have it in black, but it may come in other colours…

I've been waiting a while for a post like this. This summer when I decided to wear pants to my wedding I realized there wasn't a lot of inspiration to follow. I had my mom make my outfit, and I think it actually matched better with my husband's than if I had worn a white dress.

To anyone a little nervous about wearing pants at their wedding, I say wear what you'll be happiest in. I got a lot of questions from family, but in the 104 heat it was really nice to wear something easy to move in and light weight. Also I still managed to stand out from everyone since I was the only female at my wedding wearing pants. lol

I just recently got engaged and we were going to go to the justice of the peace but now I'm thinking I want a small ceremony with colors being black and white only and everyone in the wedding party wearing jeans with black and white tops and of course old school converse!! Do you have any suggestions feedback that might help me on this? I'm trying to find websites with this similar blue jean wedding thing I got going!

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